Knitted fabric and method of and apparatus for making the same



July 31, 1934 w. J. WESSELER KNITTED FABRA-IC AND`METHOD OE' AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING THE SAME Filed Aug. 5l, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENIOR.

July 31, 1934. u w -,1 WESSELER 1,968,061

KNITTED FABRIC AND METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FORMAKING THE SAME Filed Aug. 3l, 1931 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

July 31, 1934. w. J. wEssELER KNITTED FABRIC AND METHOD oF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING THE SAME 5 sheets-sheet :s

Filed Aug. 5l, 1931 INVENToR.

Patented `uly 3l, 1934 KNITTED FABRIC AND METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING THE SAME William J. Wesseler, East Cleveland, Ohio f Application August ,31, 1931, Serial No. 560,398

19 Claims.

This invention relates to knitted fabric and to the method and apparatus for producing the same. More particularly, the invention comprises a fabric of the general type shown in my Patent No. 1,738,486, and embodying additional features to that disclosed therein, such fabric being formed by a knitting operation wherein the stitches or loops making up the same may be drawn to any desired size and may be so tightly seated upon adjacent stitches or loops as to present what may be termed a needle-tight fabric. Such fabric may be used as aplain or nished fabric.

The invention also has in view the provision of apparatus for producing the various types of fabric described, such apparatus embodying means for producing tightly pulled loops or loops drawn to predetermined size, with or, with iut interlocked additional or auxiliary threads. Apparatus is also provided to produce purl fabric in a novel manner at high speed and with or without tightly drawn loops and in plain form or with additional pile or other yarns interlocked therewith.

Other and further features of the invention will appear in the course of the following description.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain fabrics and the means and mode of carrying out the linvention, such disclosed means and mode illustrating, however, but several of the different ways in which the principle of the invention may be used and the fabrics produced.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing one form of apparatus embodyingV the principles of the invention; A

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a loop forming ring, shown for convenience with four yarns in place of a large numberv such as are shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary perspective views showing the operation of forming a loop;

Fig. 7 is aview showing a portion of the loop forming ring provided withanother type of loop forming member;

Fig. 8 is a. diagrammatic viev.1 showing the path of movement of the modified type of loop forming element; f i

Figs. 9 and 10 are fragmentary perspective views showing the loop-forming operations of the modied type of vloop forming member;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a. portion of plain fabric formedon my improved apparatus, the loops being shown enlarged and of loose structure to illustrate the loop construction and their relation to the yarn feeder tubes and loop forming elements;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. l1 showing the incorporation of filling material with the plain fabric shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view showing a presser l plate and clamping plate in non-clamping position with four yarns shown in place of a large number running freely;

Fig. 14 is a. view similar to Fig. 13 showing the manner of supplying filler yarns to the yarn feeds; and

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view showing the loop forming operation with filler yarns on one side of the fabric.

As has been indicated, the apparatus illustrated is adapted to carry out the principles of my invention as set forth in my Patent No. 1,738,486. Such apparatus, in each instance, forms a loop on each needle or other knitting instrumentality from yarns of one series and thereafter forms a second loop on each needle or other knitting instrumentality from a separate series of yarns simultaneously casting off the loops formed from therst series of yarns and thereafter repeats the process from the beginning. For these operations the apparatus I have shown is to'be understood to be merely illustrative and that the invention may be embodied in a wide variety of machines of substantially all known types, particularly those wherein united needle operations'are carried on, whether in the form of straight machines or circular machines.

The type of apparatus illustrated is adapted for the production of purl typel knitted fabric and for ller fabric or pile fabric having a purl knitting backing with which the filler yarns are interlocked.

As stated, this apparatus may produce plain fabric as well as filler fabric or pile fabric, and the plain fabric may be of the purl knitted type or may incorporatel various features of other conventional types of fabric. The purl type fabric is substantially of .what is known as links and links and instead of being formed by means of double ended knitting needles is preferably formed upon a special type of'loop former. By whatever method formed my method permits the drawing of the loops to any desired size by applying tension to the individual yarns of the cast off loops. In the form of construction shown in Figure 1 the loop-forming instrumentalities are rotatable, while the yarn feeders are substantially stationary and the tensioning devices employed have merely reciprocatory movement toward and away from the knitting throat.

I'he invention is applicable to machines which shog back and forth, but shogging results in the forma-tion of a relatively thick fabric and the preferred type of machine is that which will knit continuously in one direction. l

The machine illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 particularly, is designed to make links and links or purl fabric in either plain or filler type of product.

As clearly shown in the drawings, it comprises a base member 1 in the form of an elongated support upon which are mounted in spaced relation to the base a pair of aligned tubular members 2, 3, supported at their outer ends and having their free ends extending toward the center of the machine to a point where they are spaced from each other a distance slightly more than necessary to permit the newly formed loops to move into the interior of one of such tubes. This space 4 has been designated the knitting throat. For heavier fabric the interior diameter of the tubes must be increased as well as the space between the ends thereof.

The tubular members, as indicated, are supported at their outer ends, respectively, and in order to have free adjustment of such tubes vertically, the supports employed comprise standards 5 having upper portions telescopically engagedl with their bases and held at any desired elevation by set screws. The upper portion is formed with spaced arms having set screws extending inwardly from either side which serve to grip the tubular member. The set screws on the arms permit angular horizontal adjustment to a slight extent of the tubular members. The finished fabric 6 is fed through one of the tubes and may be received over a roller provided with a weight or over a reel '7 as shown, having a suitable ratchet mechanism 8 to prevent the reversal of the same, and which will permit the application of suitable tension to the finished work, if desired. At the inner end of each-of the tubes a series of yarn feeds 9, 10, respectively, are provided, said yarn feeds preferably being formed of tubes of small `diameter having their .outer ends firmly secured tov the tubular support and having their inner ends free. The free ends of the yarn feeds are suitably formed to assist in the loop drawing operation with the loop-forming members presently to be described. Thus, the yarn feeding tubes extend inthe direction of the supporting tube adjacent its outer surface and then extend at a slight angle toward one side and may extend slightly downwardly, so as to provide on the under side thereof a space for the engagement of the new yarn by the loop-forming member.

'I'he number of yarn feeds, and loop forming members, of course, corresponds to the size of fabric which it is desired to manufacture and they may be increased to a very great extent, although the weight of the finished fabric and the' power necessary to move the loop-forming/ring are factors which enter into the question of the design of the larger types of machines.

A machine for utilizing a large number of yarns is illustrated in Figure 1, whereas in Figure 3 and in the diagrammatic views an apparatus using `merely four yarns on each side is shown in order that the operations of forming the loops may be more readily understood, but it is not intended in any way to limit the apparatus to one wherein a small number of yarns are used, as the machine .is adapted to operate in large units for forming fabrics of standard commercial widths or even in excess of commercial widths now recognized as practical.

The take-up reel is shown in line with one of the tubular supports 3. On the opposite end of the apparatus the power supplying'means is positioned, as Will be presently described. The yarn feeds, as stated, are held in fixed position upon the tubular members which are firmly supported centrally of the base in spaced relation thereto. The yarns 12 extend toward the yarn feeds from a. source of yarn supply in the form of spools 13 located adjacent the outer ends of the respective tubes, there preferablybeing one spool for each yarn, together with a takeup support 14 which acts frictionally against the spool until a high degree of tension is reached. This prevents undue slack in the yarn as the reciprocating parts of the machine operate. The yarns extend from the reels through guide eyes or a guide plate 20, and thence through apertures 16 inl a presser plate 17, there being an individual aperture for each yarn, and extend from said presser plate through apertures 18 in a clamping' plate 19, rwhich likewise has individual apertures for each yarn, slightly oifset from direct alignment with the apertures in the corresponding presser plate, as shown inFig. 13. A presser plate and clamping plate is provided on each end of the apparatus, said plates being preferably slidably mounted by having bearings 21 adjacent their side edges engaged over bars 22 which form trackways or slideways for said plates. In the lform of construction shown, one longitudinal bar is provided on each side of theapparatus, said bar being supported at the ends of telescopic standards 23, which are adjustable horizontally with reference to the base. The upper sections of the standards are received in sockets which are provided at the ends of slotted bracket arms 24, which are held to the base by means of bolts 25. Thus, thebars or trackways may be moved out- -wardly from the central line of the machine, or vthe brackets may be swung at an angle'with reference to the machine in order to change the position of the trackways, and such adjustment may be rmly maintained by securing the bolts firmly to the base of the device. By means of set screws 26 on the socket portions of the bracket arms the standards may be raised and lowered so as to bring the trackways at any desired elevation with reference to the tubular supports for the yarn feeds.

Intermediate the clamping plates the loop forming plate 2'7 is positioned, said plate likewise being supported on the trackways by means of suitable bearing members, such as lubricated sleeves engaged overV said bars or any other desirable means of support. The loop forming plate is formed centrally with a bearing 28 to receive the loop forming ring 29 which,'in the form of construction shown', is a flanged member having a large central opening into which project the individual loop forming members 31 of the apparatus.

The loop forming members may take various shapes, being dependent in some measure upon the particular shape of the yarnfeeding device which cooperates therewith. In fact, any suitable instrumentalities whether needles, bars, or other devices, may be used in forming/fthe loops so long as/they hold a loop on the instrument and engage a yarn in such relation to the re tained loop as to drawthe yarnthrough such loop in the course of the movement of the loopforming member or the movement of either the loop-forming member and yarn feed, relatively to \`each other.

As is clearly shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the loop-forming members 31 comprise metal plates being preferably supported at their top or side edges on the loop-forming ring and having their free edges shaped in the' form of hook-shaped terminals 33 projecting toward a point adjacent the center of the aperture through the ring. The edge of the hook member is adapted to ride beneath the yarn feeding tube and terminates ln a point 34 which is adapted to engage the yarn within the yarn feeding tube 9 and draw it through the loop 36 carried on such loop-forming member which has been spread through the coaction of the yarn feeding tube and the loopforming member. This cooperation of said members is brought about through the reciprocation of the loop-forming ring back and forth across the knitting throat and the movement of the ring around its axis at certain specified times by a worm and gear in larger machines, or by pins 37 and cam plates 38, 39, in the form shown. A yarn engaging hook will rst be moved `,longitudinally of the apparatus' in a substantially straight line to draw a loop,` and will then by conmet of me pins with the pli-.tes be rotated a distance sufficient to pass such loop-forming member behind the inclined portion of the opposite yarn feed 10 yand advance beyond the same radially a distance suillcient to permit the hook on said particular loop-forming member to engage beneath the opposite yarn feed in slightly advanced relation to the previous yarn feed. The loop-forming ring then enters on its movement in the opposite direction-in a straight line,- the tubular yarn feeds also functioning as guide members. A notched spring finger 40 frictionally positions the pins.

V It will be noted from the showing in Figures 4 to 6 that as' the loop-forming member passes behind the inclined yarn feed, it spreads the loop. over ythe inclined portion of the yarn feed and as it advances toward the free end of the yarn feed itholds' the retained loop spread apart' suiiiciently to permit the outer'portion of the bight of the loop to ride oif the free end of the yarn feed, while the other'portion of the bght of said loop will still be engaged over said tube. The point of the loop forming member at this stage of the operation will ride past the end of the tube and will receive upon vancing edge the new yarn from within the yarn feeding tube. The straight edge 35 of the yarn feeding member will prevent the tube engaging portion of the loop from disturbing the position of the yarn within the hook on the advancing edge of the member, and the knock over portion of the tubular support for the yarn vfeeds will causev the bight of the loop to remain open and be disposed below the Ipoint of the loop-forming member which is in the act of engaging the new yarn and putting the same through such open As the loop-forming member 31 advances to the position shown in Figure 6 the new loop 12a is being drawn forward toward the opposite supporting tube 10 across the knitting throat and the previously retained loop 12b is being cast oi from the loop-forming member 31, the edge of the opposite tube serving as a knock over member to prevent said. loop interfering with the new loop. As this operationproceeds certain other operations are being initiated.v Thus, the clamping plate in the direction of motion is being pressed against the presser plate at that end of the slideway. The presser plate 17 has positioned rearwardly of the same a pair of coiled springs 41 engaged over the slideway bars, and these springs are placed under compression as the clamping plate 19 bears against the opposite surface of the presser plate. When the clamping and presser plates are thus engaged the individual yarns on that side of the'apparatus are firmly held against free running feeding movement,

its hook-shaped adand as the clamping plate and presser plateare moved together with the yarns all tightly clamped between said plates, the yarns will be drawn upon individually so that they will run reversely through the yarn feeding tubes, and the cast off loops will be drawn to small dimensions, depending on the distance of movement of the clamping and presser plates. If such distance of movement is sufliciently great, extremely high tension will be applied to the individual yarns and the loops cast oif at the knitting throat will be drawn to a tight seat within the space between said tubes. 'Ihus with each endwise movement of the plates a complete course of loops will be finished around the entire circumference of the fabric margin. The tubular knitted product will pass through the supporting tube shown on the right-hand side of Figure 1 and will be taken up on the take-up roller 7 at the end of the base member. By cutting the finished fabric along a., spiral line the fabric may besupplied as flat fabric with loops extending straight across instead of running on the bias.

As stated, a similar presser plate and clamping plate is provided at the opposite end of the apparatus and as the direction of movement of the plates is reversed they will spread the newly formed loops and pull a new yarn through the openybight thereof. The operation of forming a loop is thus repeated continuously in substantially thefsame manner as that rst described,

anda second course of finished loops is firmly seated on the fabric margin as the loop-forming 'ring and theclamping and presser plates are .loops of the yarn received through the yarn feeding tubes. The loops, as will be notedfrom the drawings, are spread vev tically a suilicient distance to permitthe point'tpposite the one hold# ing such loop to project rough the open loop and pick a new yarn after the loop-forming member has been moved diagonally to a position rearwardly of the new yarn. If desired, the loopforming member may be pivoted so as to rock the point for engaging'the new yarn outwardly so as to more readily engage the same. Such movement may be caused by the pressure of the old yarn on the member against a iin projecting from the yarn engaging point.

Whether such loop-forming elements are made as rigid elements or a's pivoted members just described, the action of the device is substan-y tially the same.

with certain other types of loop-forming elements particularly where a large number of yarnsare used, and the yarn feeds are very closely spaced together. In such case, the angular movement of the yarn-engaging member will be very slight, and the speed of motion of the loop-forming ring might be at a very high rate.

Because the degree of movement of the loopforming ring being very short longitudinally of the machine, the loops themselves will be of very small size and the degree of tensioning movement of the clamping and presser plates will be proportionately reduced. However,v as heretofore stated, through the use of springs to shift the loop-forming ring longitudinally in each direction, and stops to limit the movement of the loopforming ring to a short range of motion, the yarn-tensioning movements may be carried on to any desired degree after the loop-forming ring has reached its limit of motion in each of the respective directions of movement. Such mechanism has been indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

The method of forming filled fabric or pile fabric with this mechanism may be' variously carried out, but with the mechanism illustrated may be accomplished by placing ineach of the feeder tubes at one side of the apparatus both a tensioning yarn 12 and a filler yarn l2c. ing yarns extend through the offset apertures 16, 18, in the clamping and presser plates, and the filler yarns extend through alined apertures 12d, 12e, in said plates, or have independent paths around the clamping and presser plates so that no clamping and tensioning action is applied to the filler yarns which accordingly, are knitted in without tension. Thus, if mohair pile fabric is to be manufactured, a mohair yarn` 42 or even mohair slubbing may be fed through one series of tubes paralleling one of the series of tubes j for the backing yarns or through the same tubes ternately knitted and cast off.

The method of producing the fabric has been outlined, but the means for shifting the `plate carrying the loop-forming ring and the clamping and presser plates has not yet been indicated. This mechanism will now be described.

At the end of the base plate opposite the position on the take-up mechanism the operating mechanism for the device is shown. This comprises an electric motor 43 carrying a pinion 44 meshing with a gear wheel 45 operating a crank shaft 46, the crank of which is connected by a link 47 with pivots 48 to a rocking frame 49. The rocking frame has a pivot 50 at its lower portion on each side of the base board and carries at each of its sides edges outwardly projecting pivot ably by means of vertical positioning screws 53.v

Upon each of said pivot pins links 54 are engaged, the other ends of which are passed through Wide apertures 55 in the adjacent presser plate 'and are engaged upon pivotpins 56 secured to studs 5'? mounted adjacent the central portion of the clamping plate at that end of the apparatus. 'Ihis clamping plate is connected with the clamping plate on the opposite side of the apparatus by adjustable side bars 58. The loop-forming plate 27 is positioned between said clamping plates and is operated by them. anyhesired degree of lost motion between theclamping plates and loopforming plate may be provided for.

Through the mechanism described the clamping plate is moved back and forth as the crank shaft rotates, and the speed of the apparatus The tensionmay be controlled in accordance with the character of the fabric being formed. With smooth surfaced, fast running yarns, such as silk threads and the like, a higher speed of operation may be carried on than where the yarns have surfaces involving a degree of friction. Likewise, where the yarns are of uncertain strength the speed of operation of the machine must be reduced proportionately so as not to impose too great a strain on the material with the change of direction of motion of the apparatus.

By shifting the pivot pins 51 at the margin of -the frame downwardly or upwardly, the stroke of rial worked with. If desired, the power may be applied to the clamping `plate through buffer spring connections 59 comprising fairly heavy springs on each side of the bolt which will be brought into action only when an excess of power is applied to the apparatus through the catching of the yarns or some other incident of operation which interferes with the free running of the apparatus. The tension on these springs may be varied by turningthe nut provided o'n the end of the relatively long bolt.

If a shorter range of action is desired for the loop-forming plate, similar buffer springs may be used, suitable stops being provided to limit the travel ofthe loop-forming plate. The tensioning action can thus be continued after theloopforming plate comes to rest.

As has been stated, and as will appear from Figures l and 2 of the drawings, the first described clamping plate is connected with the other clamping plate by means of adjustable side bars 58 so that the degree of space between the same may be changed as desired. Thus, with the two clamping plates 19 lrigidly held together, the operation of the motor will slide the clamping plates and produce gripping and tensioning action alternately at opposite ends of the apparatus.

The plate carrying the loop-forming ring, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is disposed intermediate the two clamping plates, the sleeves 60 of the ring plate sliding on the respective side bars 22 and being engaged at different stages of the motion of the clamping plates 19 by the sleeves 2l supporting said respective clamping plates. Thus, as the clamping plates are moved back and forth the adjacent ends of the sleeves or interposed washers will be brought into operative con-I tact with portions of the ring supporting plate and will shift said last-named plate back and forth during a portion of the range of motion of the clamping plates. The degree of motion to be imparted to the loop-forming plate depends upon the depth of stroke necessary to form satisfactory loops and the excess amount of motion over this minimum that is necessary for the tightening of the loops cast off. The tightening operation on the cast oil loops may commence slightly in advance of the loop-forming movement to take excess slack out of the yarns or it may continue after' the loop-forming movement is completed.

The degree of motion of the tensioning plates at either end of the apparatus likewise may not be uniform in extent for the reason that Where filler fabric is fed through the yarn feeding tubes, the loops engaging aboutsaid ller fabric cannot be drawn to as close a set as the loops on the opposite side which are free of filler fabric. In order to provide for this difference in tensioning movement the position of the presser plates with prevent distortion of reference to their respective clamping plates is varied and the pressed plate for tensioning the s ide of the apparatus having the filler fabric will be held to a shorter range of motion toward the knitting throat than will be permitted the presser plate at the opposite end of the apparatus.

The means presser plates toward the center of the apparatus comprises limiting stops in the form of rods 61 connected with pivot members 62 on" the respective presser plates on their outer end faces and screw-threaded at their free ends to receive a stop nut 63 and a locking nut 64 therefor. Said bars engage through eyes 65 at the sides of the standards and through engagement therewith stop the movement of the presser plates toward the knitting throat toward which they are normally .moved by the coiled springs on the respective side bars.

The strength of the springs may be adjusted by sliding the collars 66 engaged over the respective slide bars and forming abutments for said springs toward or away from the knitting throat and locking said collars in any desired position by means of the set screws 67 therein.

If desired, a mandrel 71 may be provided within the take-olf tube 3 for the finished product in order to center the loops as they are formed and the fabric during loop formation through irregularities in the operation of the take-up mechanism. Such mandrel may be in the form of a tapered conical member supported within the opposite supporting tube 2 of the apparatus.` Such mandrel, however, is not essential to the successful operation of the apparatus and may be entirely dispensed with.

The apparatus just described have been dis- I closed as a horizontally arranged machine, but obviously the machine could be arranged vertically should it be more convenient for any reason to have the mechanism operating in that position, and the description of the machine as being positioned horizontally is not to be taken as a limitation against its construction and use in any desired position found most convenient, as the term horizontal is merely used as descriptive word for convenience of definition and not as expressing any essential position of the apparatus to be fully operative.

In place of fixed loop forming members reciprocating past the knitting throat, it is to be understood I may use a pluralityof pivoted loopforming elements, the ends of which are adapted to oscillate across the knitting throat. These may oscillate simultaneously in one direction or alternately y in opposite directions. The yarn feeds may rotate past the loop forming members, or the loop forming members may rotate past the yarn feeds as in the apparatus shown.

If plain purl knitted fabric is to be produced a single sleeve and set of yarns on each side of the knitting throat will sulce. If pile fabric or Milanese fabric is to be made one or more sleeves and sets of yarns must be added to one or both sides, but a heavy filler yarn 12o to provide for reinforced fabric or uncut or cut pile fabric may be supplied with each tensioning yarn 12 through the same tube of a set of feeder tubes, asis shown in Figure 15.

The yarn feeds may be telescopically engaged and arranged so as to permit relative rotation so as to have the loops formed from any desired yarns moved into the path of the loop forming members.

Thus, various 'types of fabric may be formed for limiting the movement of theA -the margin of with such apparatus. Where one .set of yarns is provided on each side of the knitting throat, plain purl fabric will be produced. If four sets of yarn feeders are employed, two on each side of the loop forming bars, and are revolved in opposite directions, a fabric on the order of a Milanese purl knitted fabric may be formed, and if the yarns on one yarn table comprisebinder yarns and the yarns on another yarn table comprise filler yarns, such` as mohair or the like, a pile fabric may be formed in which the binder yarns serve to hold the fabric as a backing cloth, the tension being varied to permit the loops to be drawn tight on the binder yarns.

As heretofore stated, a single set of yarns may be provided on one side of the apparatus and a double set on the opposite end of the apparatus,

-which will thus permit a series of pile or plating loops to be formed on one side of the fabric, the remaining loops forming the backing for such fabric. The fabric formed on the apparatus `lust described may be of a loose typefor with the loops closely drawn.

Other forms may be employed embodying the features of my invention instead of the one here explained, change being made in the form or construction, provided -the fabric be produced, or the elements stated by" any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated elements be employed, whether produced by my preferred method or mechanism, or by others embodying structure, steps, or mechanism, equivalent to those stated in the following claims.

I therefore particularly point claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination a plurality of loop-forming members disposed in spaced relation about a fabric receiving aperture, a plurality of yarn feeding elements disposed adjacent said loop-forming elements and comprising at least two yarn feeding elements for each loopforming element, means for moving said yarn feeding elements and loop-forming elements relatively to each other to feed yarn to said loopforming elements, and means for moving said loop-forming elements and yarn feeding elements relative to each other to draw loops from one series of yarns and to cast loops from another series of yarns. 'A

2. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination a plurality of-loop-forming members disposed in spaced relation about the margin of a fabric receiving-aperture, a plurality of yarn feeding elements disposed adjacent said loop-forming elements and'comprising at least two yarn feeding elements foreach loopforming element, means for moving said yarn feeding elements and loop-forming elements relatively to each other to feed yarn to said loopforming elements, and means loop-forming elements and yarn feeding elements relative to each other to draw loops from one series of yarns and to cast loops from another series of yarns and to draw the cast off loops to any desired size.

3. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination a plurality of loop-forming members disposed in spaced relation about the margin of a fabric receiving aperture, a plurality of yarn feeding elements disposed adjacent said loop-forming elements and comprising at least two yarn feeding elements for each loopforming element, means for moving said yarn feeding elements and loop-forming elements relout and distinctlyfor moving saidv atively to each other to feed yarn to said loopforming elements, means for moving said loopforming elements and yarn feeding elements relative to each other to draw loops from one series of yarns an`d to cast loops from another series of yarns', and means to draw the cast off loops to any desired size.

4. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination a plurality of loop-forming members disposed in spaced relation about the margin of a fabric receiving aperture, a plurality of yarn feeding elements disposed adjacent said loop-forming elements and comprising at least two yarn feeding elements for each loop-forming element, means for moving said yarn feeding elements and loop-formingl elements relatively to each other to feed yarn from one alternately positioned series of yarn feeding elements to said loop-forming elements, and means `for moving said loop-forming elements and yarn feeding elements relative to each other to draw loops from the series of yarns so supplied by said yarn feeding elements and to cast off loops from the other series of yarns from said. series of loopforming elements.

5. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination a plurality of loop-forming'A members disposed in spaced relation about the margin of a fabric receiving aperture,- a plurality of yarn feeding elements disposed adjacent said loop-forming elements and comprising at least two yarn feeding elements for each loop-forming element, means for moving said yarn feeding ,elements and loop-forming elements relatively to each other to feed yarn from one alternately positioned series of yarn feeding elements to said loop-forming elements, and means for moving said loop-forming elements and yarn feeding elements relative to each other to draw loops from the'l series of yarn so supplied by said yarn feeding elements and to cast off loops from the other series of yarns from said series of loop-forming elements and to draw the cast off loops to any desired size.

6. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination a plurality of loop-forming'members disposed in spaced relation about the margin of a fabric receiving aperture, a plurality of yarn feeding elements disposed adjacents said loop-forming elements and comprising at least two yarn feeding elements for each loopforming element, means for moving said yarn feeding elements and loop-forming elements relatively to each other to feed yarn from one alternately positioned series of yarn feeding elements to saidloop-forming elements, means for moving said loop-forming elements and yarn feeding elements relative to each other to draw loops from the series of yarns so supplied by said yarn feeding elements and to cast oif loops from the otherseries of yarns from said series of loop-forming elements, and means to draw the cast off loops to any desired size.

7. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination a plurality of loop-forming' members disposed in spaced relation about the margin of a fabric receiving aperture, a plurality of yarn feeding elements disposed adjacent said loop-forming elements and comprising at least two yarn feeding elements for each loopforming element, means for moving said yarn feeding elements and loop forming elements relatively to each other to feed yarn to one side of said loop-forming elements, and means for moving said yarn feeding elements and loop-forming elements relatively to each other so as to draw loops from the series of yarns so supplied to said loopforming elements and to cast off loops from a previously supplied series of yarn fed to the other side of said loop-forming elements and to tension such cast off loops.

8. An apparatus of -the character described, having in combination a plurality of loop-forming members disposed in spaced relation about the margin of a fabric receiving aperture, a plurality of yarn feeding elements disposed adjacent said loop-forming elements and comprising at least two yarn feeding elements for each loop-forming element, means for moving said yarn feeding elements and loop-forming elements relatively to each other to feed yarn to one side of said loopforming elements, means for moving said yarn feeding elements and loop-forming elements re1- atively to each other so as to draw loops from the series of yarns so supplied to said loop-forming elements and to cast off loops from a previously supplied series of yarns fed to the other side of `said loop-forming elements, and means to tension such cast oif loops.

9. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination a plurality of loop-forming members disposed in spaced relation about -`the margin of a fabric receiving aperture, a plurality of yarn feeding elements disposed adjacent said loop-forming elements and comprising at least two yarn feeding elements for each loop-forming element, means for moving said yarn feeding elements and loop-forming elements relatively to each other to feed yarn to said loopforming elements, means for moving said loopforming elements and yarn feeding elements relative to each other to draw loops from one series of yarns and to cast loops from another series of yarns, and means to grip the individual yarns of the cast off series ofyarns and move the same relatively to the fabric margin to draw the cast.. off loops to any desired size.

10. An apparatus of the character described, havingin combination a plurality of loop-forming members disposed in spaced relation about the margin of a fabric receiving aperture, a plurality of yarn feeding elements disposed adjacent said loop-forming elements and comprising at least two yarn feeding elements for each loopforming element, means for moving said yarn feeding elements and loop-forming elements relatively to each other to feed yarn to said loopforming elements, means for moving said loopforming elements and yarn feeding elements relative to each other to draw loops from one series of yarns and to cast loops from another series of yarns, and means to grip the individual yarns of the-cast oil' series of yarns and movethe same relatively to the fabric margin to draw the cast off loops to any desired size and to maintain the tension thereon while said loop-forming members are drawing a new series of loops.

11. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination a fabric receiving member disposed centrally of said apparatus and providing an opening through which ni'shed fabric may be received, a member disposed adiacent the fabric receiving end of said member and in spaced relation thereto to define a knitting throat, a series of loop-forming members disposed in spaced relation about said knitting throat, a series of yarn feeding members disposed in spaced. relation about said knitting throat, means causing relative movement between said yam feeding elements and said loopforming elements radially about said knitting throat, and means for producing relativel motion between said loop-forming members and said knitting throat in a direction substantiallyaxially of said fabric receiving member to draw and cast loops in the process of fabric manufacture.

12. A method of knitting which comprises the steps of forming loops upon a plurality of knitting elements from one series of binder yarns, and casting o from said knitting elements the loops from a second series of binder yarns, and forming filler loops from a third series of yarns over certain of said binder yarns, and drawing the yarns of the second series ofbinder yarns to draw said cast-off loops into tight locking engagementwith said filler loops.

13. A method of fabric manufacture which' comprises the steps of supplying from one side to knitting instrumentalities, upon each of whichv is engaged a ,previously formed loop of yarns, new yarns from the other side from one series and casting from said instrumentalities yarns from a companion series,E and drawing said cast-off yarns to produce loops on a previously formed series of yarns, said loops being drawn to any desired size.

14. A pile fabric having a knitted backing fabric, the loops of said pile fabric being looped around the respective yarns of the knitted backing fabric intermediate the knitted loops thereof.

15. A pile fabric having a purl knitted backing fabric, the loops of said pile fabric being looped around the looped portions of the respective yarns of the knitted backing `fabric and held in tightly locked relation thereto through the seat-- ing of loops of alternate yarns of said fabric upon loops formed from a companion series of yarns.

16. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination a fabricreceiving member disposed centrally of said apparatus and providing an opening through which finished fabric may be received, a member disposed adjacent the fabric receiving end of said member and in spaced relation thereto to define a knitting throat, a series of loop-forming members disposed in spaced relation about said knitting throat, a series of yarn feeding members disposed in spaced relation about said knitting throat, certain of said yarn feeding elements being adapted to supply binder yarns to said loop forming elements and certain of said yarn feeding elements being adaptedA to supply filler yarns -to said loop-forming elements, means causing relative movement between said yarn feeding elements and said loop-forming elements radially about said knitting throat, and means for producing relative .motion between said loopforming members and said knitting throat'in-a direction substantially axially of said fabric receiving member to draw and cast loops kin the process of fabric manufacture. i

17. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination a fabric receiving member disposed centrally of said apparatus and providing an opening through which finished fabric may be received, a member disposed adjacentr, the fabric receiving end of said member Y and in spaced relation thereto to define a knitting throat, a series of loop-forming members disposed in spaced relation about said knitting throat, a series of yarn feeding" members disposed in spaced relation about said knitting throat, certain of said yarn feeding elements being adapted to supply binder yarns to said loop forming elements and certain of said yarn feeding elements being adapted to supply filler yarns to said loop-forming elements, means causing relative movement between said yarn feeding elements and said loop-forming elements radially about said knitting throat, and means for\producing relative motion between said loop-forming members and said knitting throat ina direction substantially axially of said fabric receiving member to draw and castloops fromfsaid binder yarns.

U18. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination a fabric receiving member disposed centrally of said apparatus and providing an opening through which finished fabric may be received, a member disposed adjacent the fabric receiving end of said member and in spaced relation thereto to define a knitting throat, `a series of loop-forming members disposed in spaced relation about said knitting throat, a series of yarn feeding members disposed in spaced relation about said knitting throatmeans for causing relative motion radially of said fabric receiving member and the binder yarn feeding elements, means for causing relative motion radially of said fabric receiving members of the filler yarn feeding elements, means causing relative movement between said yarn feeding elements and said loop-forming elements radially about said knitting throat, and means for producing relative motion between said loop-forming members and said knitting throat in a direction substantially axially of said fabric receiving member to draw and cast loops from said binder in the process of fabric manufacture.

19. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination a fabric receiving member disposed centrally of said apparatus and providing an opening through which finished fabric may be received, a member disposed adjacent the fabric receiving .end of said member and in spaced relation thereto to dene a knitting throat, a series of loop-forming members disposed in spaced relation about =-said knitting throat, a series of yarn feeding members disposedr in spaced relation about said knitting throat, means for causing relative motion radially of said fabric receiving member and the binder yarn feeding' elements, means for causing relative motion radially of said fabric receiving members of the filler yarn feeding elements, means for drawing filler yarns over'portions of binder yarns and out of the path of the loopforming elements engaging said binder yarns to produce filler yarn loops when said binder yarns are engaged by their respective loop-forming members, means causing relative movement between said yarn feeding elements and said loopforming elements radially about said knitting throat, and means for producing relative motion between said loop-forming members and said knitting throat in a direction substantially axially of said fabric receiving member to draw and cast loops from said binder in the process of fabric manufacture.

WILLIAM J. WESSELER.

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